HESLA, Niels E. died 1878

HESLA

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 12/10/2024 at 15:59:25

We noted, in our record of local personal matters, week before last, the departure for the Arkansas Hot Springs of Niels E. Hesla, this place, who, encouraged by the curative effects of the Springs in cases similar to his own, was constrained to try a course of treatment there. He reached Arkansas in due season and concluded to visit the Mountain Springs, fourteen miles from Hot Springs, and said to be beneficial in cases of a dropsical character, which was his ailment. He was supposed to be doing well, until last Friday, when his family were in receipt of the following telegram:

Hot Springs, Ark.
Feb. 22, 9:30 P.M.
N.E. Hesla at point of death, at Mountain Valley Springs. If fatal, what must I do?
P.E. Green

This was followed by an announcement of his death, on Saturday, and, in accordance with the instructions of his friends, the body was placed in a metalic case and forwarded to this place, by Express, the charges and other expenses being $231.

The funeral took place on Wednesday, from the Norwegian Lutheran Church, the services being conducted by Rev. Hjort. The remains were taken to the church under an escort of the German Society, of which the deceased was an honored member. The attendance was very large, and the remains were taken to the cemetery for interment.

Niels Hesla was one of the most kind hearted men we have known; he was honest and straightforward in his dealings, and generous to a fault. He had been a resident of Lansing for 16 years, for a long time a clerk in the store of Nielander & Brockhausen, and subsequently engaged in the hardware business.

He had acquired considerable means, and was a member of the Order of Workmen, from which his family will receive an insurance policy of $2000. He leaves a wife and two children to mourn the loss of a most indulgent husband and parent, who was kindly thought of by everybody in this community.

~Lansing Mirror, Friday, March 1, 1878; pg 3

--- ---

We had only space last week to make but brief mention of the death of our fellow citizen, Mr. N.E. Hesla. The deceased for some months had been in ill-health from a dropsical affection and a severe billious attack, the latter taking the form of jaundice. He was under constant medical treatment, but seemed to get no relief, and finally he decided to go to the hot springs of Arkansas, knowing that Mr. M. Simon, of this city, had been there and was successfully treated for affliction similar to his.

Accordingly he went down there, but he had been there but a few days when a telegram was received by his friends here that he was at the point of death, and in a few hours afterwards another dispatch that he was dead.

His remains were placed in a metalic case and forwarded to this city, as per instructions, arriving last Wednesday, and funeral took place the same day, the remains being followed to the tomb by a large concourse of citizens among whom he had lived for many years and by whom he was greatly respected.

The German Singing Society, of which he was a member, also escorted the body to its final resting place and paid their last respects to their departed brother.

Mr. Hesla was a member of Mt. Hosmer lodge A.O.U.W. of this city, and his widow will receive from that order the sum of $2000. Mr. Hesla will long be remembered by all who knew him for his kind and generous disposition and his many noble traits of character.

~North Iowa Journal, Wednesday, March 6, 1878; pg 4

--
Note: Burial is in Oak Hill. The 'Woodmansee' cemetery book shows him as Nels E. Hesla, gravestone spells his given name as Niels, as in the obituaries.